Upgrade ES1 version 2 to version 3

[MrHarryReems]

Sorry for the confusion ...poor writing on my part; my bad!

The ES2 requires wood work on the saddle so AFAIK, Taylor has said no to those wanting to move to ES2.

Edward

Unless you're a sponsored artist, in which case they will do the upgrade, and do it for free.  I'd be happy if they'd just take my money and give me the upgrade.  I'd love to throw that balanced output in the garbage.

[3dognate]

Sorry for the confusion ...poor writing on my part; my bad!

The ES2 requires wood work on the saddle so AFAIK, Taylor has said no to those wanting to move to ES2.

Edward

Unless you're a sponsored artist, in which case they will do the upgrade, and do it for free.  I'd be happy if they'd just take my money and give me the upgrade.  I'd love to throw that balanced output in the garbage.

If the parts were available and the bridge plate and bridge thickness were the same it'd be doable with a jig to drill the holes required, (3D printed would be easy enough, I do have a printer and CAD skills to build such a JIG). But I doubt that is the case though and the new bridge plate and bridge were designed without retrofit in mind. I HATE the balanced output BS too.. I use a VoiceLive 3 pedal and a Fender 12 String as an alternate guitar... the output level differences between the two is scary different. and of course the pedal can't take a balanced input so I gotta run a little A/B pedal I made to switch between the two with a TRS lo>Hi Z transformer for the Taylor and TS pass through for the Fender. It'works well but pisses me off that I need to use such a thing to get my levels correct on the Taylor. If you arelike me you feel that using a TS cable into a Hi-Z destination with the Taylor not only lacks volume but also lacks some high end zing as well.

I'm likely to either get rid of my 314CE and buy another with the ES2 or just go with another brand. (the latter is the most likely) this situation has kept me from buying other nice guitars. I like my Taylor a lot but the Expression System continues to drive me nuts. Pickup replacement is an option but only the MiSi Align XT is a direct retrofit as far as I know, and their batteryless design is not my favorite. And using another pickup system with a Tru-Plug system is pretty unattractive too. Replacing my 12 string with a Taylor is an option but doesn't eliminate the need for a TRS LoZ > HiZ DI for my VL3.

If there are other direct retrofit pickups out there I'd love to know about them.

[Strumming Fool]

While I have had zero problems with any version of ES 1 (all but one of my ES Taylors now have ES1.3), I now better understand why people use after market, non-invasive pickups. Two of my older, pure acoustic Taylors (and my brand new BTO ) are now equipped with LR Baggs Lyric systems.  Easy to use and replace when something better comes along.

[MrHarryReems]

Taylor is doing upgrades to the ES2 now.  I shipped mine off on Friday.

[Maximus]

Pretty easy to upgrade to ES2. Just buy the drilled bridge, with guitar attached.

I have gone this route twice and can report GREAT success. I am totally happy with my purchase, er... upgrade.

[3dognate]

Taylor is doing upgrades to the ES2 now.  I shipped mine off on Friday.

What was the charge for the service? (shipping aside)

[MrHarryReems]

Taylor is doing upgrades to the ES2 now.  I shipped mine off on Friday.

What was the charge for the service? (shipping aside)

They haven't given me the full price yet.  I'm having some other work done as well while it's there..  I've got some fretwear and things that they are going to sort out.  Shipping one way cost me $200....

[Earl]

$200 to ship a guitar - the side "benefit" of not living in the CONUS.  I had the same issue when living in Alaska.  The only option is UPS Blue Label 2nd Day, or comparable FedEx air service.  A guitar gets pricey due to weight and (mostly) bulk.  But at least it gets there quickly and does not sit in a hot or cold warehouse or semi-truck somewhere.

[MrHarryReems]

Taylor is doing upgrades to the ES2 now.  I shipped mine off on Friday.

What was the charge for the service? (shipping aside)

It looks like they only charged me $xxx for the upgrade.  They also did quite a bit of additional maintenance at 1/2 price, as I had some fret wear and such.  Additionally, they spotted some other issues the took care of under warranty.  I am well pleased.



Pricing

[fuman]

Just for clarity, do they charge the same for an upgrade from version 1.2 to 1.3 as from 1.1 to 1.3?

[Edward]

The ES version 1 (2003-2006) used a AA battery box, so going to v1.1 or 1.3 will absolutely require both a new battery box for the 9v, as well as a little bit of wood work in the endblock to accommodate the 9v box.  So that's two potential up charges right there vs upgrading from the 1.2 (2007-2009).  But the factory being who they are may just charge you the normal rate.   Ask first, of course. 😀

Edward

[MrHarryReems]

Just for clarity, do they charge the same for an upgrade from version 1.2 to 1.3 as from 1.1 to 1.3?

I'm not sure, but it's worth a call to them to ask!

[mgap]

Pretty easy to upgrade to ES2. Just buy the drilled bridge, with guitar attached.

I have gone this route twice and can report GREAT success. I am totally happy with my purchase, er... upgrade.

Some people think the cost of the new bridge might be to high, but when you consider the free guitar that comes with, its a bargain

[MrHarryReems]

Some people think the cost of the new bridge might be to high, but when you consider the free guitar that comes with, its a bargain

Definitely a solid point..  But sometimes you're attached to your main gigging guitar and can't imagine using another one.  That's definitely how I am with my 814.  I can't describe how good it felt to have it back in my hands for the gig last week!

[TaylorMan1]

I have version 1.3 in my GS 5, if you're going to ship it to Taylor and have them do it it's going to cost you well over $600 because you have to pay shipping both ways. I decided to hang onto my GS 5 it didn't look like it was going to be worth it to sell it because people were wanting to do the Walmart thing. And it's a good guitar, no it's a great sounding guitar.

Carl